Deliberate Attention Control
Attention Control is a skill that allows us to shift our focus to successfully perform a task. “Pay attention!” is a phrase we may have heard from teachers, coaches or supervisors. But how do we pay attention when we are performing? How can we ensure we pay attention to the right thing at the right time in a smooth manner?
Attentional Model
Nideffer and Sharpe (1978) developed a model of attention control that shows how individuals tend to shift attention during a performance. The model has two overlapping dimensions: direction (internal-external) and width (broad-narrow), which creates four “quadrants” of attention focus.
The quadrants can be explained as follows:
- Broad External (Awareness)
Be aware of your surroundings.
For example, at the firing range, scanning your lane for the first target to pop up. - Broad Internal (Analysis)
Do an internal analysis of what your body is experiencing in the moment.
For example, checking your body position, heart rate, breathing and self-talk. - Internal Narrow (Rehearsal)
Do a mental rehearsal of how your performance will go and what steps you will take before execution.
For example, mentally reviewing your shot routine. - Narrow External (Action)
Take action and perform.
For example, identifying a 50 meter target pop-up and executing a routine.
We naturally shift our attention during a performance or task without even realizing it. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the places where our attention is placed within the four quadrants and to practice being deliberate and shifting between quadrants at the appropriate time to perform at our best.
Resources
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